Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update news

Update: Android 5.0 hitting US Cellular devices

The Galaxy S4 has the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update in a number of territories, with most carriers having already pushed out the new software over-the-air (OTA). While T-Mobile users in the US are still awaiting Android 5.0, US Cellular customers now have Android 5.0 and the Android 5.1 update is making headlines. Find out all of the latest Galaxy S4 update news below.

Galaxy S4 Android M update

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Android M update is not yet available. Android M is expected to launch globally in Q3, 2015. We will let you know when we learn more.

Galaxy S4 Android 5.1.1 custom ROMs

There are currently no official public plans for the Galaxy S4 Android 5.1.1 update, but that's not to say they might not still appear. In the meantime, Android 5.1.1 Lollipop has appeared for the Galaxy S4 in the form of custom ROMs on XDA Developers.

Bliss Pop is a super popular custom ROM that is chock full of customization options. It's based on the even more popular CM12.1 ROM from CyanogenMod, taking that base and adding even more features.

There's another good Android 5.1.1 ROM worth checking out on XDA Developers. The popular Resurrection Remix ROM has also been released for the international Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500). Alongside the usual Android 5.1.1 updates, the ROM also brings some gesture controls, LED density changer and theme chooser.

Galaxy S4 Android 5.1 Lollipop update

No official Galaxy S4 Android 5.1 update has yet appeared, but some publications are claiming insiders have confirmed that the Galaxy S4 will get the Android 5.1 update, even though the S4 Mini failed to be approved. So, will the Galaxy S4 get an official Android 5.1 update?

Yes, if you believe Sam Mobile, who are claiming that the Android 5.1 Lollipop update for the Galaxy S4 is indeed in the works, although only for the Google Play edition version. Other sources claim the standard Galaxy S4 will be getting the update soon as well.

Galaxy S4 Android 5.0 Lollipop update

To check your Galaxy S4 for the update, go to Settings > About Device > Software Update > Check for Updates. Or jump to the manual install instructions at the bottom of this article (for Samsung Kies and Odin). If you experience any problems with the Galaxy S4 update, visit our guide on how to fix Galaxy S4 Lollipop problems.

US Cellular Galaxy S4 Android update

US Cellular pushed the Galaxy S4 Android 5.0 Lollipop update in mid-July, bring the US Cellular Galaxy S4 to baseband version R970TYUGOE2. The changelog provided for the update just listed the usual Android Lollipop features like Material Design, lock screen notifications, Smart Lock options and more.

Verizon Galaxy S4 Android update

Verizon updated its Galaxy S4 support page to announce the arrival of Android 5.0.1 at the end of April. The three-page document outlines the changes that the updated software (version LRX22C.I545VRUGOC1) brought to the Verizon Galaxy S4, including Material Design, lock screen notifications and the new recent apps menu.

AT&T Galaxy S4 Android update

The AT&T Galaxy S4 Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update began rolling out on April 7 via an OTA update. The changelog for the AT&T Galaxy S4 update mentions the usual changes.

Sprint Galaxy S4 Android update

In early May, Sprint released the Lollipop update for its branded Galaxy S4 Spark LTE devices to baseband version L720TVPUCOD1 and the ''regular'' Sprint Galaxy S4 to version L720VPUGOD2. Visit Sprint's Galaxy S4 community page if you have any questions about the update.

T-Mobile Galaxy S4 Android update

The T-Mobile Galaxy S4 Android 5.0 Lollipop update has not been released yet. As soon as the T-Mobile Galaxy S4 update is available we'll update this article.

How to install Android Lollipop on the Galaxy S4 manually

If you have an international unlocked Galaxy S4, as soon as the first international, non carrier-branded firmware appears it is possible to flash the firmware manually. Keep an eye on the Sam Mobile firmware page for the GT-I9500 or GT-I9505 (LTE) and either update via Samsung Kies or Odin.

How to update Galaxy S4 to Android Lollipop with Kies

Kies should notify you when there is an update available. Simply follow the steps. If Kies doesn't let you update your firmware, even though you know a new Android version is available, you can flash it manually using Odin. Here's how to do that.

How to install Android Lollipop on Galaxy S4 with Odin

before you manually install firmware with Odin, it is essential you identify your particular model number. Go to Settings > About Devie and find your model number. Then, when you download the firmware, make sure you match the model number to the firmware.

Attempting to flash the wrong firmware (for example, unlocked firmware on a carrier-branded S4 or vice versa) may cause problems so we don't advise it. As always, manually tinkering with your device has risks involved. Please be aware of them before proceeding.

Install Lollipop on Galaxy S4 instructions

4. Connect your Galaxy S4 via USB cable to your computer and wait for Odin to recognize it (a blue box should appear next to ID:COM).

5. Make sure only Auto-Reboot and F.Reset Time are checked in Odin.

6. Make sure Re-Partition IS NOT CHECKED.

7. Click the AP button and locate the tar.md5 file in the unzipped firmware file and hit Start.

8. Wait patiently until the procedure ends and do not disconnect your S4. It may take a while.

9. You should see a green PASS message when successful.

10. Once your Galaxy S4 restarts, you should be running Android Lollipop.

Restore any backed up data and if you get stuck in a bootloop or encounter some buggy behavior, reboot your S4 in Fastboot (press and hold Volume up + Power + Home) and use the volume keys to navigate and Power button to access Recovery Mode. You wan to clear cache partition and then reboot.

Mary has worked as a content manager and has experience in working with ad serving for many highly respected websites. She is now the Market Analyst for AndroidPIT.com. She made the switch from iPhone to Android and does not plan on ever going back.

343 comments

Sprint Galaxy S4 is at 5.0.1, which is what mine is at and just now I got a notice saying it has downloaded a 300+ megabyte update. 'Course it won't install because I have it rooted with TWRP recovery. Lollipop 5.1.x?

My personal phone is galaxy, my work phone is an iPhone. I have no love for Apple Inc. in any shape or form, but the iPhone is so much better in every category than any android product that I've tried. For one thing, it always actually works. I'm sick to death of android and its shitty, crashy, memory-sucking updates, and when my contact runs out, I'm dumping it for good.

updated to lollipop when it came out a couple months or so ago. Regretted it ever since. battery life is gone, have to keep an external battery with me at all times. I can now watch the percentage drop just with the phone being on and not using. overheating is a real issue also. constantly overheats and shuts down even when just sitting on the table. WiFi is inconsistent at best, connects then drops, connects slow, then drops. ALL apps run incredibly slow now. locks up continually. Touch Wiz is a joke, crashes more times a day than I have to charge the battery. I was told by Samsung that I can not revert back to KitKat. This is now nothing more than a lesson in frustration management and patience.

Bottom line....nothing works better or even works, its degraded the once awesome phone to a paperweight. Looking at the Iphone for a replacement. Iphone 7 is looking REAL good now.